1840-1870: Hoop Skirts
Women wore petticoats made from horse hair stiffened with cane and padding. This is what is known as a hoop skirt or crinoline. This resulted in dresses with voluminous skirts and closely fit bodices. Women's dresses were typically in modest and plain colours. Lace and shawls worn over the shoulders were also important.
Around the 1860's, sewing machines brought costs down and synthetic dyes allowed dresses to be in a wider range of colours.
Women wore petticoats made from horse hair stiffened with cane and padding. This is what is known as a hoop skirt or crinoline. This resulted in dresses with voluminous skirts and closely fit bodices. Women's dresses were typically in modest and plain colours. Lace and shawls worn over the shoulders were also important.
Around the 1860's, sewing machines brought costs down and synthetic dyes allowed dresses to be in a wider range of colours.
1870-1885: Bustles
A bustle was a caged underskirt that put the focus of the dress to the back. Dresses became closer to the body which made moving somewhat easier. They were made with brighter and heavier materials. Sleeves gradually became slimmer and lower, which prevented women from freely moving their arms.
A bustle was a caged underskirt that put the focus of the dress to the back. Dresses became closer to the body which made moving somewhat easier. They were made with brighter and heavier materials. Sleeves gradually became slimmer and lower, which prevented women from freely moving their arms.
1890-1900:
The bustle disappeared, but the skirts still remained full at the back. The skirts became plainer as the focus shifted to the bodice and sleeves. Bodices were decorated with layers and frills, and sleeves became larger and puffier.
The bustle disappeared, but the skirts still remained full at the back. The skirts became plainer as the focus shifted to the bodice and sleeves. Bodices were decorated with layers and frills, and sleeves became larger and puffier.
Hats:
At the beginning of the Victorian Era, dresses were exaggerated and dramatic. Hats were modest in size and design to avoid distracting from the dress, and they were mostly worn as protection from the sun.
Towards the end of the era, the upper half of a women's outfit became the main focus, with a wide-brimmed hat, puffy sleeves, and a full upper body. Hats were large and covered with silk ribbons, flowers, feathers, and sometimes entire stuffed birds.
At the beginning of the Victorian Era, dresses were exaggerated and dramatic. Hats were modest in size and design to avoid distracting from the dress, and they were mostly worn as protection from the sun.
Towards the end of the era, the upper half of a women's outfit became the main focus, with a wide-brimmed hat, puffy sleeves, and a full upper body. Hats were large and covered with silk ribbons, flowers, feathers, and sometimes entire stuffed birds.